EMPLOYMENT

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OFF-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT BASED ON SEVERE ECONOMIC  HARDSHIP

Students in valid F-1 status who experience severe economic hardship, after submission of financial documentation at UNT, due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control, are eligible to apply for USCIS authorization of off-campus employment providing they meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Can demonstrate unforeseen severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control.

• Have been a full-time student in valid F-1 status for at least one academic year.

• Have made a good faith effort to find on campus employment and found these opportunities unavailable or insufficient.

• Can affirm that acceptance of employment will not interfere with carrying a full course of study.

Examples of severe economic hardship include loss of assistantship or on-campus employment without fault on the part of the student, substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate, unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student's source of support, medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected expenses.

To apply for off-campus work due to economic necessity, students can pick up the application packet in 171 Kendall. Complete the forms and bring the following to International Advising:

• International Advising application form for Economic hardship Work permission

• Current I-20

• Letter explaining circumstances of economic hardship, that on-campus work is not available or insufficient, and that work will not interfere with studies

• Documentation of the unforeseen severe economic hardship, including budget sheet

• Copies of valid passport, visa, and I-94

• Completed I-765 form. Answer # 16: (c)(3)(iii)

• $175 processing fee, payable to USCIS.

• Two (2) color photos with a white background taken no earlier than 30 days before submission to the INS. These should be “green card” photo's: They should be unmounted; printed on thin paper; glossy and unretouched. The photos should show a three‑quarter front profile of the right side of your face, with your right ear visible. Your head should be bare unless you are wearing a headdress as required by a religious order to which you belong. The photo should not be larger than 1 ½  inches by  1 ½ inches, with the distance from the top of the head to just below the chin about 1 1/4 inches. Lightly print your name and your admission number, if known, on the back of each photo with a pencil. We recommend you place both photos in a small plastic bag or envelope so they don't get lost in rest of application.

If the documentation is sufficient, and you are eligible to apply, International Advising issue a new SEVIS I-20 with a recommendation that off-campus work permission based on severe economic necessity be granted. The application will be mailed from the International Advising Office.

Estimated processing time varies. Check with an advisor for current estimate. If approved, USCIS will issue an Employment Authorization Document valid for up to one year or expected date of graduation, whichever is earlier. Employment is limited to 20 hours per week, including any on campus work, when classes are in session, but may be full time during authorized vacations. Employment authorization is automatically terminated if the student ceases to maintain lawful status.

You must have the EAD card before beginning employment.                             

Application form for Economic Hardship Work Permission